Accomplishments

Built College & Career Leadership and Systems

  • Convened district college and career leaders and superintendents throughout the year to deepen conversations around shared work and priorities and to set new and updated targets.
  • Continued to explore postsecondary data needs of partner districts and tools to enhance K–12 to postsecondary system partnership in the student transition to postsecondary space.

Increased partnership between Pierce County K12 districts and higher education (T-2-4, technical, two-year, and/or four-year options)

  • Formally launched Pierce County Strong Initiative (15 districts and 9 postsecondary institutions).
  • Hosted a series of leadership meetings with superintendents and college presidents to discuss regional data and goal  setting.
  • Hosted workgroup meetings to determine shared targets and action plans for aligned work.

Increased Financial Aid Completion

  • Shared monthly financial aid completion reports with superintendents and district college and career leadership to increase awareness, monitor progress, and support data-informed student support practices.
  • Convened a regional financial aid cohort for practitioners between August 2017 and May 2018 around best and current practices in financial aid completion.
  • Facilitated Financial Aid 101, 201 and strategy training.

Increased School-Based Career Connected Learning & STEM Awareness

  • Brought together educators and industry through student worksite tour opportunities and implement DiscoverU week in Pierce County school districts.
  • Shared Washington State Opportunity Scholarship application completion reporting with superintendents and college and career leads in order to raise awareness about this STEM-based financial aid and support districts in identifying and assisting students with the application.

Increased Student/Family Knowledge of Postsecondary Opportunities and Pathways

  • Distributed College Knowledge and financial aid toolkit resources and share findings and feedback from districts implementing these resources.
  • Developed T-2-4 messaging using student feedback.
  • Supported Pierce County higher education partners in developing and implementing shared regional postsecondary marketing to Pierce County high school students.

Established goals with shared/aligned targets for increasing effective high school pathway development and direct enrollment into postsecondary education and career

  • Hosted Dave Schuler from AASA. A national educational leader and successful superintendent in College and Career Readiness. 
  • Hosted a regional follow up meeting focused on building a Culture of College and Career Readiness for district leadership (superintendents, college and career leads, CTE leads) with a focus on how to move best practices into action.
  • Provided ongoing support to districts and turnkey tools for implementation.
  • Hosting (May 31) board dinner with Pierce County K–12 districts to discuss board leadership/policy influence on College and Career Readiness/Success indicators. Dr. David Conley will be our guest facilitator.

Increased partnership building between district CTE and College and Career leads

  • Hosted a dual credit convening focused on student pathway development and instructional practice/reform for educators.
  • Formalized collaboration with PC3 (Pierce County Careers Connection) for ongoing professional development planning/training.
  • Hosted (May 31) workshop with Dr. David Conley for K–12 College and Career leads to discuss district-wide best practices and implementation.

Increased partnership between Pierce County WDC (WorkSource)

  • Aligned with recent employment pathway study for future Pierce County jobs.